WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration delayed spending $9.4 billion in global health funding and more than $5 billion in emergency humanitarian aid eight months into the fiscal year. President Donald Trump signed a bill enshrining congressional orders on foreign aid spending into law.

Government records indicate the State Department delayed spending on global health programs, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) labeled some humanitarian and global health aid money as "unallocated." The OMB requires approval for how "unallocated" funds are spent. The State Department has not issued funds for some projects earmarked by Congress, and administration officials have not responded to inquiries from lawmakers regarding foreign aid spending.

Congress allocated $9.4 billion for global health to treat and prevent diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Congress also required regular, detailed reports on how the administration spends foreign aid money. Congress also allocated more than $5 billion for emergency humanitarian aid.

The administration terminated thousands of USAID programs last year and fired nearly all USAID staff. Trump officials asked Congress for permission to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is a congressionally created agency, but Congress denied the request.

An analysis by Aid on the Hill indicates administration officials are spending foreign aid at a slower rate than in recent years, a conclusion the State Department disputes. Programs have received fewer dollars than in previous years, even when Congress maintained steady funding levels. Under the America First Global Health Strategy, administration officials are signing bilateral deals with countries that require access to health data in exchange for U.S. medications.

Bobby Kogan, a former OMB adviser, said, "If you spend no money for a year and all the clinics close, then those people die." David Super, a professor of law and economics at Georgetown University, stated, "It is a huge grab of power from the president, taking powers away from Congress." U.S. Senator Brian Schatz said, "It's proof that there is still broad, bipartisan support for America showing up in the world, helping people and working with our allies and partners on shared challenges, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it directly benefits us."